170 Aprill Dr., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 48103
Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-476-4849
International: 734-913-6700
All images shown are from Midas 1220 LTD machine.
All rights reserved. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without prior written permission of Smithy Co. For information on getting permission for
reprints and excerpts, comments, or suggestions, contact info@smithy.com
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this manual, Smithy Co. shall not
have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or
alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instructions contained in this manual. Please
see section on warranty and safety precautions before operating the machine.
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
Congratulations on purchasing a Smithy lathe-mill-drill. We are pleased you chose Smithy
to fulfill your machining needs.
The purpose of this manual is to give the machinist, beginning or advanced, the
information he need to operate the Smithy Midas 1220 LTD. It will teach you about the
machine’s parts and how to care for them. We’ll explain how to grind cutters, set up lathe
tools, hold work pieces, and do all basic machining operations.
Please read this operator’s manual carefully. If you don’t understand how your machine
works, you may damage it, your project, or yourself. If you want to learn more about
machining practices, Smithy offers books that meet the needs of machinists at all levels
of experience. We also suggest using your local library as a resource. Enrolling in a
machining class wi
If you have any questions not covered in this manual, please call Smithy. Our trained
technicians will help you with any machining problems you may have. Dial our toll free
number 1-800-476-4849 Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00pm Eastern Time. You
can also find Smith
service bulletins.
ll give you the best knowledge of machining.
y on the Internet at www.smithy.com. Check for service updated and
We are always interested in your suggestions to improve our products and services. Feel
free to contact us by phone or email us at
about this operator’s manual, or if you have a project you’d like to share with other Smithy
owners, contact Smithy Co., PO Box 1517, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-1517.
We look forward to a long working relationship with you. Thank you again for putting your
trust in Smithy.
our Smi
This manual should r
include the owner’s manual with the machine.
Model No.:__________________________________________________
Your workshop is only as safe as you make it. Take responsibility for the safety of all who
use or visit it. This list of rules is by no means complete, and remember that common
sense is a must.
1. Know your machine. Read this manual thoroughly before attempting to operate your
machine. Don’t try to do more than you or your machine can handle. Understand the
hazards of operating a machine tool. In particular, remember never to change speeds or
set-ups until the machine is completely stopped, and never operate it without first rolling
your sleeves or tying them at your wrists.
2. Ground the machine. The MI-1220 LTD has three-conductor cords and three-prong
grounding-type receptacles. Never connect the power supply without properly grounding
the machine.
3. Remove all adjusting keys and wrenches from the machine before operating. A chuck
key or misplaced Allen wrench can be safety hazard.
4. Keep your work area clean and organized. Cluttered work areas and benches invite
accidents. Ha
5. Keep children away from the machine while it is in use. Childproof your shop with
padlocks, master swi
have access to it.
6. Wear appropriate clothing. Avoid loose-fitting clothes, gloves, neckties, or jewelry that
could get caught in moving parts. If you have long hairs, tie it up or otherwise keep it
from getting into the machine.
7. Use safety glasses, goggles, or a face shield at all times. Use glasses designed for
machinery operation; regular glasses will not do. Have extras for visitors. Know when to
wear a f
8. Check for damaged parts. Make sure the machine will run properly before operating it.
9. Disconnect the machine before servicing and when changing accessories. Shut power
f before making changes, removing debris, or measuring your work. Don’t reach over
of
the machine when it’s operating. Keep your hands out of the way.
oid ac
v
10. A
ve a place for everything and put everything in place.
tches, and starter keys, or store the machine where children do not
acemask and earplugs, as wel
cidental starts. T
urn the swi
l.
tch to OFF bef
ore plugging in the machine.
11. Secure your work. Flying metal is dangerous. Loose work can also bind tools.
12. Use the recommended accessories. Understand how to use them before trying them
out.
2-1
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
13. Use the correct tool for the job. Don’t try to make a tool into something it isn’t.
14. Keep your mind on your work. Pay attention to these simple rules and you will spend
many safe, enjoyable houses in your workshop.
Note: Your safety depends largely on your practices.
2: Safety
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Chapter 3
Caring For Your Machine
Your machine is a delicate, precision tool with hardened ways and hand-scraped bearing
surfaces under the table and carriage. Any rust spot or battering of the ways, any chips
or grit between close-fitting parts, will affect the accuracy of this fine tool. Follow these
guidelines whenever you use your Smithy machine:
1. When you finish working, wipe machined surfaces with a clean, oily rag. Never leave
the machine without this thin film of protective oil all over parts that might rust,
especially ground finished parts.
2. Never lay wrenches, cutting tools, files, or other tools across the ways of your lathe.
The slightest dent or burr will impair its accuracy.
3. Before inserting collars, centers, adapters, or drawbar attachments in either the
spindle or tailstock spindle, wipe them a clean, oi
carefully with an oily rag on a ramrod. Chips or dirt on the centers or in the spindle nose
can scratch or mark surfaces and interfere with the assembled part’s alignment.
ly rag. Also, wipe all internal surfaces
4. Lubricate the machine before each use as seen on Section 5.4.
5. Use good 10W 30 weight non-detergent oil on your machine.
6. Cover your machine to protect it from dust and moisture.
Note: An old machinist trick is to leave camphor in the toolbox and on the machine to
prevent rust. Newer compounds that also protect machines that will unused for some
time are BoeShield, developed by the Boeing Company and CRC Lubricants. There are
also specialty oils that may be purchased.
3-1
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
Chapter 4
Basic Par ts of the MI-1220 LTD
Learn the operation of your machine, you have to know the names and functions of its
basic units.
5
8
13
9
3
4
18
6
7
17
1
16
15
12
2
14
10
11
Figure 4.1 Midas 1220 LTD
1. Bed. The bed is the machine’s foundation. It is heavy, strong, and built for absolute
rigidity. The two ways on the top are the tracks on which the carriage and tailstock
vel. To maintain an exact relationship between tool point and work piece from one end
a
tr
of the machine to the other, the ways must be absolutely true and accurately aligned to
the line of centers and to one other.
2. Carriage. The carriage consists of the saddle and apron. It moves by hand or power
along the bed, carrying the cr
support the cut
into place by tightening the carriage lock with the setscrew on the backside of the
carriage.
ting tool rigidity and move it along the bed for different operations. It locks
ide, compound rest, and toolpost. Its function is to
oss sl
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Midas 1220 LTD Operator’s Manual
3. Compound Rest. Mounted on the cross slide, the compound rest swivels to any angle
horizontal to the lathe axis to produce bevels and tapers. Cutting tools fasten to a
toolpost on the compound rest. The calibration on the front of the base are numbered in
degrees from 60 right to 60 left.
4. Cross Slide. The T-slotted cross slide moves crosswise 90 degrees to the lathe axis by
manual turning of the cross feed screw hand wheel. It also serves as the milling table.
5. Drill Press and Fine Feed Clutch. Pushing in the drill press clutch (engages the fine
feed). To work the clutch, release the spring tension by rotating the drill press handles
clockwise. Pull the clutch out to sue it as a drill press or push it in to use the fine feed.
Use the fine fee hand wheel to move the quill up and down.
6. Forward/OFF/Reverse Switch. This is the main switch used to operate the lathe. It is
simply a forward/reverse switch for the motor. The motor turns counterclockwise for
normal lathe operation and clockwise for normal milling and drilling operation. The
MI-1220 LTD has two switches, one located on the millhead and one on the right side of
the gearbox.
7. Gearbox. The gearbox houses the belts that deriv
e the spindle and change gears for
the powerfeed. Select the thread pitch (for threading) or the feed rate (for turning) by
changing the four change gears on the right side of the gearbox.
8. Headstock. The headstock, which is secured to the bed, houses the gears the drive
the powerfeed and the taper that secure the lathe spindle.
9. Lathe Spindle. The end of the lathe spindle facing the tailstock is the spindle nose. The
spindle nose, which has an MT4 taper, rotates the work piece and drives the lathe chicks
and other workholding devices. Al
l attachments (like three-jaw chucks, four-jaw chucks,
faceplates, etc.) bolt to the spindle flange either directly or via an adapter plate.
10. Leadscr
ew.
The leadscr
ew, which runs the length of the bed, moves the carriage for
lathe turning or thread cutting. It works both manually and under power. You can also
use it manually with the mill.
11. Locks. Locks on the cross slide, carriage, quill, and tailstock (two) keep them from
moving. During machining, lock all axes except the one you want to move.
12. Micr
ossf
cr
ometer Contr
eed, drill calibrated in millimeters. The compound feed and crossfeed are
ol and Calibration.
Just inside the handles of the tai
lstock
calibrated in two thousandths, the tailstock in thousandths, the leadscrew in two
thousandths, and the drill press in forty thousandths.
Note: These micr
ometer dial col
This independent motion is cal
slide, tailstock, longitudinal and mill feeds. They let you zero the collars at any point and
read the feed travel from that point on the dial for increased accuracy.
13. Mill Spindle. The mill spindle attaches to the quill, which moves in and out of the
head. The qui
l lock k
l
eeps the qui
milling horizontally. Usually, tools fir into collets that attach through the spindle via
drawbars.
4-2
ound the handle shafts.
e independent
lars can mo
v
led float. The MI
-1220 L
ly ar
TD has floating dials on the cr
ll still when you install or remove tools from it and while
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
oss
4: Basic Parts o thef Midas 1220 LTD
14. Half-nut Lever. This lever transmits power to the carriage for threading.
15. Power Longitudinal Feed. Push the lever down to engage the power of the long feed
for general cutting.
16. Power Cross Feed. Push the lever down to engage the cross feed and pull it up to
disengage.
17. Powerfeed Speed Selector. The two-speed selector for powering the leadscrew is on
the front of the headstock. The leadscrew turns twice as fast in the II position as in the
I position.
18. Tailstock. The tailstock, which provides right-end support for the work, moves along
the bed and can stop at any point on it. It holds centers, drills, reamers, taps, and other
tools. To move the tailstock spindle, which has an MT3 taper, turn the tailstock hand
wheel. The scale of offset calibrations on the back of the tailstock is in millimeters.
Note: To offset the tailstock, loosed the four base locking bolts. To offset to the left,
loosed the left adjusting bolt and tighten the right and do the same on the other side
.2.
when you want to of
fset to the right. See figur
e. 4
Rgiht
Treslte
Setscrew
Setover
Screw
Figure 4.2 Tailstock base locking bolts.
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Chapter 5
Uncrating and Setting Up the MI-1220 LTD
Moving the Machine
Moving a machine tool can be dangerous. Improper techniques and methods may injure
you and/or damage the machine. To find a professional to move and site your Smithy
machine, look in your local Yellow Pages under “Machine Tools, Moving and/or Rigging”.
If there is no such listing or your community does not have a rigging specialist, a local
machine shop or machinist may be able to provide referral.
When you pick up the machine at the shipping terminal, bring a crowbar, tin snips for
cutting the metal straps, and a hammer. If there is obvious shipping damage to the crate,
you’ll be able to inspect the machine before signing for it. Note any damage on the bill
of lading (shipping document). Fill out the claims forms and notify both Smithy Co. and
the shipping terminal about the damage. Failure to notify both parties can complicate
and/or invalidate a claims process.
Trucking company terminals usually have forklifts to assist customers. It’s most
convenient to transport the machines in trucks without canopies and large vans.
Uncrating and Positioning the Machine
Figure 5.1 Tip the crate from the tailstock end up and over the machine.
The machine is assembled, inspected, and ready to do in its stand. It’s wrapped in a water
and greaseproof cover, strongly braced, and crated. A box of accessories is also in the
crate.
The metal bands that encir
gloves, cut the metal bands with tin snips.
5-1
cle the cr
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
ate are under tension. Wearing eye protection and
5: Uncrating and Setting Up the MI-1220 LTD
Caution
The cut edges are sharp. The bands secure the crate top to the base.
After removing the straps, lift off the crate top. Tip the crate from the tailstock end up
and over the machine (Figure 5.1). Do not damage the crate. You may need it another
time to transport the machine.
Once your crate cover is removed it is time to put your machine on its bench. The
machine is just less than 500 pounds so make sure you have some extra hands to help.
There are four lifting pints that pull out from the bed of the lathe. You can use chains or
a tow rope to wraparound these pins and the aid of a lifting device such as an engine
hoist to list the machine on to a bench rated to support the machine’s weight.
Without a mechanical device to aid in your lifting you can lighten the machine by
removing a few or all of the following:
Millhead
1. Remove the four hexagon socket-head screws at the base of the millhead support
column. If a scr
remove it too.
2. Lock the millhead-locking handle.
3. Lift the millhead and column off the lathe head. You may have to rock it back and forth
while lifting it. Make sure that the mill head is locked to the column before removing the
millhead.
ew runs through the belt box into the flange of the support column,
Tailstock
1. Loosen the tailstock lock and pull the tailstock off the end of the bed. The gib and
all out. Be careful no to lose them.
l f
locking pin wi
l
Bolts
Figure 5.2 The chuck attaches to the spindle flange with three bolts.
The one bolt located on the other side of the spindle does not show.
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Midas 1220 LTD Operator’s Manual
Three-Jaw Chuck
1. Remove the three bolts behind the chuck that hold it to the spindle flange (Figure 5.2).
The chuck will come off. Don’t let it fall onto the ways. Placing a board between the chuck
and ways will protect the ways.
Place the machine on a strong, rigid table 40” long, 24” wide and 28” to 33” high. We
recommend you to bolt down the MI-1220 LTD machine using the holes in the base of
the bed or using the lifting handles as they held the machine to the shipping pallet.
Selecting a Location
There are several major considerations for selecting a location for your Smithy.
Operation is from the apron side, so allow at least 40” to 48” clearance in front of the
machine.
The machine should be on a 20supply. Try not to use an extension cord. If you must use one, check with an electrician
about the proper size.
Provide ample working light over the operator’s shoulder.
Figure 5.3 Check along and across the bed to make sure it is level.
Place the machine on a solid foundation, concrete if possible. If you must put it on a
wood floor, make sure it is adequate. Brace it if necessary to prevent sagging or settling.
amp circuit, positioned as close as possible to the power
e allowances at the back of the machine tool as at its end and above it for later
Mak
addi
tions, at
stock to be fed through the spindle. If you are considering placing more than one machine
in an area, allow enough floor space to feed long bar stock to each machine.
tachments, and/or accessories. Provide clearance on the left end for bar
Notice To check bench and bed level accuracies,
successively place level at A, B, C, D
(longitudinal positions) and E and F (transverse
positions). Bedways alignment in the longitudinal place
should be better than 0.0016/40”; alignment in the
traverse plane should be better than 0.0024/40”.
5-3
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
5: Uncrating and Setting Up the MI-1220 LTD
Cleaning and Lubricating the MI-1220 LTD
Smithy machines are shipped with protective grease coating called cosmoline. Use
WD-40 or non-corrosive kerosene to remove the cosmoline.
Once you have your MI-1220 LTD set up and positioned correctly, you are ready for
lubricating. You must do this carefully and thoroughly before starting the machine. Use a
pressure oil can and a supply of good quality SAE No.10 weight oil.
To be thorough and complete, follow this routine:
Oiling the Ways
Run the carriage as far to the left as possible. Put a few
drops of oil on the ways. Run the carriage to the extreme
right and repeat. You may want to use Way Lube, special
oil formulated for the ways.
Oiling the Millhead Quill
Using your mill handles or your fine feed crank to lower
the mi
work it down and up until it runs smoothly.
llhead down. Apply a thin layer of oil to the quill and
Oiling the Headstock
Figure 5.4 Oiling the ways
Figure 5.5 Oiling the
Millhead Quill
Figure 5.6 Oil the button behind the D gear.
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Midas 1220 LTD Operator’s Manual
Open the gearbox door to expose the pick-off gears. Oil the button in the casting behind
the D gear. Then put a few drops of oil on the teeth of all the gears. Grease the zerk on
the A gear shaft.
Check the sight glass under the chuck. If necessary, add oil until it is half full. The oil fill
plug is at the back of the headstock above the motor. Be careful not to overfill it. The
gearbox requires only 8 to 10 ounces of oil.
Oiling the Carriage
Lubricate the oil buttons in the cross feed table.
There are two buttons on the left of the saddle for
the bedways and two on the front of the cross slide
for the cross slide ways.
Oil the button in the center of the cross slide.
Put a few drops of oil on the compound slides.
Oiling the Compound Angle Toolpost
Figure 5.8 Oil the buttons along the cross feed table.
l two buttons on top of the compound angle toolpost.
Oi
Figure 5.7 Oiling the table
Oiling the Apron
Put oil in the button just behind the cross slide hand wheel.
5-5
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
P
ut oil on the button at the back of the cross slide.
Oiling the Leadscrew
Put oil in the oil buttons on the left trestle.
Put oil in the support for the right end of the leadscrew.
Oiling the Tailstock
5: Uncrating and Setting Up the MI-1220 LTD
Figure 5.9 Oil the two buttons on the top of the tailstock.
Oil the buttons on top of the tai
lstock.
Oiling the Mill/Drill Clutch
Figure 5.10 Oil the clutch housing button.
Put oil in the button on top of the clutch housing.
To keep your machine in peak condition, lubricate it daily after removing any debris.
Do not fill the gearbox sight glass more than half way. Too much oil will make the
motor lug and sling oil out form behind the chuck and inside the belt box.
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Notice
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Midas 1220 LTD Operator’s Manual
Adjusting Belt Tension
The MI-1220 LTD has two belt tensioners
installed by the factory. One for the
millhead and the other one for the pulley
box.
Figure 5.11 Mill belt
Mill
Locate the “L shaped” lever and a thumbscrew at the top of the mill motor. Loosen the
thumbscrew and then rotate the lever to increase or decrease the belt tension.
Re-tighten the thumbscr
ew when the desired tension is achieved.
Figure 5.12 Lathe belt tensioner.
Lathe
Locate the belt tensioner handle on the motor mount. To tighten the lathe belts, move
the tensioner handle upward so that the handle points toward the lathe head. Turn the
knurled knob clockwise to tighten the bel
t and counter
clockwise to loosen it.
Adjusting the Gibs
The MI-1220 LTD machines have straight gibs. Before using the machine, adjust the gibs
evenly. First tighten the screws all the way. This will lock the movement. Then loosen
each screw one quarter turn and check it. Tighten the gib, the more accurate it will be.
es the tolerances.
v
ving and pol
emo
R
With the gibs properly adjusted, review the following instructions on how to reduce the
backlash, or lost motion in the screw, which also depends on the type of job you’re doing
and/or individual preference.
5-7
ishing the gibs also impr
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
o
5: Uncrating and Setting Up the MI-1220 LTD
Reducing Backlash
Backlash of 0.008-0.015” as measured on the dial is normal. If you have more backlash
than that in your crossfeed table, refer to the schematics at the back of this manual, if
necessary and follow these directions:
1. Tighten the cap nut in the center of the cross feed hand wheel securely.
2. Tighten the set screw inside the T-slot so the brass nut cannot move.
3. Tighten the screw in the base of the brass nut. This will remove play between the
threads in the cross feed screw and nut. Do not over tighten it or there will be excess
wear on the nut.
If there is still excess backlash, place one or more shim washers between the large
shoulder of the cross feed screw and the bush bearing. Ask a Smithy technician about our
antibacklash shim washer kit, Item number K99-190.
Figure 5.13 To reduce backlash, tighten the setscrew so the
bush bearing will be secured.
To install shims, turn the hand wheel clockwise to move the cross table away from the
screw seat. Loosen the setscrew. Then pull out on the hand wheel until the bush bearing
is free of the seat. Remove the cap nut, hand wheel, dial, keys, and bush bearing. Install
one or mor
e shim washers and reassemble.
Running in the MI-1220 LTD
thy machines are run at the factory and again before shipping, it is wise
Though al
l Smi
to put your machine through a break-in run before putting it to work. After oiling the
machine, check the belts to make sure the tensioners are correct. Do not plug your
machine yet.
Follow these steps:
Millhead Run-in
1. Make sure that the power switch for the lathe motor and the mill motor are both in the
tion.
f posi
of
2. Close the door of the gearbox before starting your machine.
3. Plug the machine into a grounded 20-amp circuit.
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Midas 1220 LTD Operator’s Manual
4. Start the mill motor by pushing in the green start button. After a few minutes, push in
the red stop button and allow the motor to stop. Flip the yellow switch cover and switch
it to the opposite position and repeat the above procedure.
5. Start the lathe by pushing the green button on the lathe control panel.
6. Engage the half nut by pushing down the half nut handle, pull up to disengage. Do the
same with the cross feed and the longitudinal feeds.
7. Push the lathe stop button and allow the motor to stop. Move the direction selector to
the left and flip the yellow cover and switch the red toggle switch to the opposite
position and repeat the above procedure.
During the run-in, try all of the controls. Get a feel for your machine before you start to
work.
Caution
This machine is equipped with power crossfeed and longitudinal feed.
Caution must be taken to not run the power feeds past their limits of travel. As part of
normal operation procedures, run each axis through the entire length of the proposed
machining oper
travel to accomplish the desired task. Failure to do so could result in running one of the
power feeds to the end of its mechanical limits. This is what is known as a “CRASH”. A
ash can cause damage to the work piece and severe damage to the machine.
cr
Remember that becoming familiar with your machine is the best safety insurance you can
have.
ation bef
ore engaging any of the power feeds to assure there is sufficient
Lathe Run-in
1. Start the lathe by pushing the green button on the lathe control panel.
2. Engage the half nut by pushing down on the half nut handle, pull up to disengage. Do
the same with the cross feed and the longitudinal feeds.
3. Push the lathe stop button and allow the motor to stop. Move the direction selector to
the left and flip the yellow reversing switch to the opposite position and repeat the above
ocedure.
pr
During the run-in, try all of the controls. Get the feel for your machine before you start
to work.
5-9
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
5: Uncrating and Setting Up the MI-1220 LTD
Setting Lathe and Mill Speeds for the MI-1220 LTD
LOWHIGH
C D E
F G H
X
C160
D250
E400
F630
G1000
H1600
Figure 5.14 Setting Lathe Speeds (RPM)
Changing belts changes lathe speeds. The lower speeds use the two short belts. There is
only one position for the motor pulley to idler pulley belt. It goes on the smallest sheave
of the motor pulley (behind the largest sheave, Figure 5.14) and on the largest sheave of
the idler pulley. For 160 RPM, se the idler pulley to lathe spindle pulley belt on the
smallest sheave of the idler pulley to the largest sheave of the spindle pulley (position C).
Move it in once sheave for 250 RPM (position D) and one more for 400RPM (position E).
For the higher speeds, remove the two small belts and use the single long belt from the
motor pulley to the spindle pulley. For 630 RPM (position F), run the belt from the outside sheave (closest to the door) on the motor pulley. Move it one sheave for 1000 RPM
(position G). For 1600 RPM (position H), run it from the largest motor pulley sheave to
the smallest spindle pulley sheave.
C
321
A4 X B1
B4 C1
315
A3 X B1
B3 C1
630
A2 X B3
B2 C3
1250
X
A4 X B2
B
4
2
1
3
A
4
321
B4 C2
A4 X B3
B4 C3
400
500
A2 X B1
B2 C1
A3 X B2
B3 C2
800
1000
A1 X B2
B1 C2
A1 X B3
B1 C3
1600
2000
Figure 5.15 Setting Mill/Drill Speeds (RPM)
Set mill speeds using various combinations of the mill belts. For 315 RPM, place belt A/B
in posi
mo
tion 4 and bel
e the B/C belt to position 3.
v
t B/C in posi
tion 1. For 500 RPM, leave belt A/B belt in position 4 and
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Chapter 6
Turning
The lathe rotates a workpiece against a cutting edge. With its versatility and numerous
attachments, accessories, and cutting tools, it can do almost any machining operation.
The modern lathe offers the following:
• The strength to cut hard, tough materials
• The means to hold the cutting point tight
• The means to regulate operating speed
• The means to feed the tool into or across, or into and across, the work, either
manually or by engine power, under precise control
• The means to maintain a predetermined ratio between the rates of rotating
works and the travel of the cutting point or points.
Turning Speeds
When metal cuts metal at too high a speed, the tool burns up. You can machine soft
metals like aluminum at fast speeds without danger or trouble, but you must cut hard
steels and other metals slowly
You must also consider the diameter of the workpiece (Figure 6.1). A point on a 3"
diameter shaft will pass the cutting tool three times as fast as a point on a 1 " diameter
shaft rotating at the same speed. This is because the point travels a tripled
ence.
er
cumf
cir
For work in any given material, the larger the diameter, the slower the speed in spindle
revolutions needed to get the desired feet-per-minute (fpm) cutting speed.
Lathes cut thr
ator's needs. The MI
oper
In thread cutting, the carriage carries the thread-cutting tool and moves by rotating the
leadscrew . The basic principle is that the revolving leadscrew pulls the carriage in the
desired direction at the desired speed. The carriage transports the toolrest and the
eading tool, which cuts the scr
thr
eads in v
arious numbers per inch of material thr
.
-1220 L
ding to the
eaded, ac
TD cuts metric threads and inch threads standards.
ew thr
ead into the metal being machined.
cor
The faster the leadscrew revolves in relation to the spindle, the coarser the thread. This
is because the threading tool moves farther across the revolving metal with each
workpiece revolution.
6-1
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
The lathe spindle holding the workpiece revolves at a selected speed (revolutions per
minute, or rpm) according to the type and size of the workpiece. The leadscrew, which
runs the length of the lathe bed, also revolves at the desired rpm. There is a definite and
changeable ratio between spindle and leadscrew speeds.
• The means to feed the tool into or across, or into and across, the work, either
manually or by engine power, under precise control
• The means to maintain a predetermined ratio between the rates of rotating
works and the travel of the cutting point or points.
Gear ratios
The lathe lets you use various indicated gear combinations to cut the desired number of
threads per inch (TPI), or the metric equivalent, or to advance the tool a specified amount
each revolution (feed rate expressed as inches per revolution [ipr]).
The MI-1220 LTD has pick-gear gearboxes; gears are picked and placed to change the
gear ratios. The gearbox mechanism determines the leadscrews rotation rate in relation
to the spindles f
gears per Figure 6.2.
or threading, turning, and facing. To change the feed rate, replace the
e 6.2 (missing)
Figur
6-3
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
Chapter 7
Metal Theory
Tool sharpness
Instead of being the all-important factor in determining tool performance, keenness of
the cutting edge is just one of many factors. On rough or heavy cuts, it is far less
important than strength, because a false cutting edge or crust usually builds up on the
tool edge, and though the edge dulls, its angle often increases the cutting tool's
efficiency by increasing its wedging action. Cutter shape is usually more important than
edges, which generally are rough-ground and usually must be honed for fine finishing
cuts or work in soft, ductile materials like brass or aluminum.
Lack of clearance, which lets a tool drag on the work below the cutting edge, is a brake
e on the cutting point and interfering with tool
ly reducing pr
on the lathe, gr
performance more than edge dullness. At the same time, excessive clearance weakens a
tool because of insufficient support to the cutting edge. Such an edge will break off if you
use the tool on hard materials.
Clearance requirements change with almost every operation, but there are certain
standar
cutting edge; there must also be end and side clearance. To help the chip pass with
minimum resistance across the top of the tool, i
determine the shapes and rakes to which you'll grind your tools by the tool holder you
use. TheCB-1220 XL LTD have a four-sided turret toolpost that accommodates four
high-speed-steel (HS
ds for all aspects of the cutting tool. You must not only provide clearance from the
eat
S), carbide-tipped, or indexable carbide turning tools.
essur
t should often have top r
ake as well. You
Heat
The ener
the ener
ceramic tools, this heat created a serious machining problem. Machining could be done
only under a steady flow of coolant, which kept the tool from heating to its annealing
point, softening, and breaking down.
th HSS, you can usually cut dry unless a small lathe is running at extremely high speeds
Wi
on continuous, hea
hot. They do not dissipate the heat, however, or in any way prevent the workpiece from
heating up. Because steel expands when heated, it is a good idea, especially when
working on long shafts, to check the tightness of the lathe centers frequently and make
sur
gy expended at the lathe's cut
gy expended is great, the heat is intense. Before today's HSS, carbide, and
vy-duty production work. HSS tools are self-hardening even when red
e workpiece expansion does not cause centers to bind.
ting point con
.smithy.com
isit www
Or V
verts largely into heat, and because
7-1
Midas 1220 LTD Operator’s Manual
Low-Carbon
Steel
Speed (sfm)
Roughing
Finishing
90
120
Feed (ipr)
Roughing
Finishing
0.010-0.202
0.003-0.005
Table 7.1 Cutting Speeds and Feeds for High-Speed-Steel Tools
High-
Carbon
Steel
Annealead
50
65
0.101-0.020
0.003-0.005
Alloy Steel
Normalized
45
60
0.010-0.020
0.003-0.005
Aluminum
Alloys
200
300
0.015-0.030
0.005-0.010
Cast IronBronze
70
80
0.010-0.020
0.003-0.010
100
130
0.010-0.020
0.003-0.010
In everyday lathe operations like thread cutting and knurling, always use cutting oil or
other lubricant. On such work, especially i
a brush in oil occasionally and holding it against the workpiece will provide sufficient
lubrication. For continuous, high-speed, heavy-duty production work, however, especially
on tough al
essential if you're using a non-HSS cutting tool.
When you use coolant, direct it against the cutting point and cutter. Consider installing a
coolant system if you don't have one.
Table 7.1 lists cutting speeds and feeds for HSS cutters so you can set up safe rpm rates.
The formula is as follows:
rpm=CSx4 / D"
where:
CS = cut
D" = diameter of the workpiece in inches.
To use this formula, find the cutting speed you need on the chart and plug that number
into the CS portion of the formula. After calculating the rpm, use the nearest or next lower
speed on the lathe and set the speed.
loy steels, using a cutting oi
eet per minute (sf
ting speed in surf
ace f
f the cut is light and lathe speed low, dipping
l or coolant will increase cutting efficiency. It's
m)
If you were to make a finish cut on a piece of aluminum 1" in diameter, for example, you
would see the desired sfm per Figure 7.3 is 300. Then:
rpm = 300 sfm x 4 / 1
rpm = 1200 / 1
7-2
For Assistance: Call Toll Free 1-800-476-4849
7: Metal Theory
rpm = 1200 or next slower speed.
For high-carbon steel, also 1" in diameter,
rpm = 50 sfm x 4 / 1
rpm = 200 / 1
rpm = 200 or next slower speed.
The four-turret toolpost lets you mount up to four different tools at the same time. You
can install all standard-shaped turning and facing tools with 1" or smaller shanks. The
centerline is approximately 5/8" above the bottom of the turret. Smithy also offers
quick-change tool sets that greatly speed up lathe operations. Contact a Smithy
technician for details.
Or V
isit www
.smithy.com
7-3
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